The 2025 Golden Globe Awards took place at the glamorous Beverly Hilton on January 5, with Hollywood’s elite gracing the event. The evening showcased some spectacular performances and celebrated the best in cinema and television. However, one notable highlight was India’s hopeful entry, All We Imagine As Light, which was nominated in two prestigious categories: Best Non-English Language Motion Picture and Best Director. Directed by Payal Kapadia, the film, which had previously won accolades at Cannes, unfortunately, did not take home any of the coveted Golden Globes.

Despite its nominations, All We Imagine As Light was overshadowed by other big winners of the night. Payal Kapadia, dressed elegantly in a black ensemble, attended the ceremony, though the evening did not end in celebration for her film. Still, the night wasn’t short on excitement, with many unexpected victories and remarkable performances in both television and film categories.

Emilia Perez and The Brutalist Dominate the Film Categories

The 2025 Golden Globes saw Emilia Perez, a musical/comedy film, leading the nominations with 10 nods and emerging as a major winner. The film captured four Golden Globes, taking home the awards for Best Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy), Best Non-English Language Film, Best Original Song, and Best Supporting Actor for Zoe Saldana’s standout performance. Saldana, visibly emotional, shared a heartfelt acceptance speech, expressing her immense gratitude and admiration for her fellow cast members, including Selena Gomez and Gascon, as well as the talented director Audiard.

In the drama film category, The Brutalist dominated with multiple wins. It secured the awards for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Motion Picture (Drama). Brady Corbet, who directed The Brutalist, took home the Best Director award, while the film’s lead actor, Brady Corbet, also triumphed in the Best Actor category. In the Best Actress (Drama) category, Fernanda Torres claimed the top honor for her compelling performance in I'm Still Here.

Despite the strong presence of The Brutalist, the evening wasn’t without a few surprises. All We Imagine As Light’s director, Payal Kapadia, was narrowly edged out by Brady Corbet, losing the Best Director award to him. While it was a disappointment for the Indian filmmaker, her film still garnered international recognition and continues to capture the attention of audiences worldwide.

Shogun Reigns Supreme in Television

In the television category, the Japanese historical drama Shogun emerged as the dominant force, claiming an impressive four Golden Globes. The series was awarded Best Series (Drama), while its cast members Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai took home the trophies for Best Actor and Best Actress (Drama), respectively. Additionally, Tadanobu Asano won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Shogun. The series, based on James Clavell’s novel, proved to be a crowd favorite, showcasing an exceptional blend of storytelling, acting, and direction.

Conclave Surprises with Best Screenplay Award

In a bit of a twist, Conclave, a papal drama from Focus Features, won one of the most significant awards of the night for Best Screenplay. Peter Straughan’s sharp, twist-heavy narrative beat out Emilia Perez for this honor, adding another memorable moment to the evening. Conclave's victory highlighted the depth of its writing and marked the film as a noteworthy contender in future awards circuits.

Wicked Wins Box Office Achievement Award

Though the evening was filled with moments of triumph and recognition, Wicked walked away with the night’s lone achievement for cinematic and box-office success. The Broadway adaptation, though not as dominant in other categories, was acknowledged for its impressive impact on both the box office and audience reception, a well-deserved recognition for the musical phenomenon.

A Changing Golden Globes Ceremony

This year’s Golden Globes ceremony marked the second edition since the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was replaced. Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge, having acquired all the HFPA’s assets and rights, have now taken over the organization’s management. This change brought a fresh dynamic to the event, setting the tone for the future of the prestigious awards.

As the night ended with a series of triumphs, it was clear that the 2025 Golden Globes had given rise to a diverse set of winners, with Emilia Perez, The Brutalist, and Shogun leaving their mark on the industry. While All We Imagine As Light may not have come away with a trophy, its recognition at the global stage reaffirmed the growing importance of international cinema in the world of Hollywood accolades.